Author Topic: dehorning/melting a reciever (Read 1257 times)

slik r slik · « **on:** May 19, 2005, 05:42:25 PM »

I am currently upgrading a Marlin 444p(blue) and a 1895GS 45/70 with Limbsaver kickpads, recoil reducers, WWG ghostring rear sights, Williams Firesights, DRC levers, bores were lapped and barrels were recrowned, all internals were smoothed and polished. In fact the only thing that has not been done is dehorning of the trigger and the melting of the reciever of all the sharp edges. I've never done that type of work and would appreciate any advice and tips/tecniques on how to do it. Thanks.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2005, 05:57:28 PM »

I've not done this on a rifle.. but have many handguns. It, simply put, is softening the angles and points. The only key is consistancy. I use files and polishing wheels, even dremel type tools in some areas. After the process tear down and thoroughly clean to remove any grit hiding in the action.. Sorry I can't be more specific but I've not done the process to a rifle. On pistols I files flats on the angles and then flats on the edges of the flats. Then simply blend...

Scota · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2005, 11:51:18 AM »

any advice and tips/tecniques on how to do it. Thanks.[/quote]

Yes, leave it alone. It will look like a half ude all day sucker when you are done. Might also like someone did a really bad buffing whel polishing job. They are your guns, do what you want. But, if they were mine, no way. The look you are going after screams amature.....IMHO

Randy_che · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2005, 01:46:43 PM »

"The look you are going after screams amature.....IMHO"

Some people are willing to pay a professional for it.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/1911serv.htm#reblue

Hooker · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2005, 04:10:56 PM »

I done this to a 336 Marlin, but I also scalloped the edges of the flats and the lever. The worst part was laying out so it came out evenly spaced.
I used files much like gunnut69 explained and dremel to cut the scallops and blend them.
Advice: If you've never done this kind of work before. Practice on a piece of scrap until your confident with your tools and your skills.
Then plan out each section before you start the on the gun. When you do start go slow.

Oh the Marlin I done, I love it think it looks great it makes me happy, thats the most important part. The icing on the cake is that everyone thats seen it likes it to.

Pat

gunnut69 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2005, 07:06:08 PM »

How about some pictures of the 336? I've not done this before and would kinda like to see what it looked like. This is a common thing to do to carry guns(handguns). It save wear and tear on clothes and even the users anatomy. I would really like to see what a melted 336 looks like! thanks for the reply!

Hooker · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2005, 05:50:25 PM »

Gunnut69 I'll get you some pics ASP, but fellow who now owns the little beauty is in Iraq.
I have another 336 in the works, but don't know how far I'll go with it as far the melting goes, in any case it wont have the scalopes.

Pat

gunnut69 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2005, 08:25:58 AM »

Thanks! One of my biggest pet peeves with the Marlin levers is the sharp edges , especially around the magazine port, hammer cut(in the frame) and the ejection port cutout. I think properly done it would greatly inprove the user friendliness of the weapon.. Might even make it a bit faster-eaasier to load.. Might be handy for the guys who really use these things a lot, like the cowboy action shooters.. I'd appreciate a look at the pictures. Would be really great if posted here.. Thanks again!

slik r slik · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2005, 08:00:53 PM »

I too would like to see your photos of your work. I am fortunate in that I own many types of rifles, none are what I call "stock", all have been modified by many reputable gunsmiths or myself into better more accurate examples of themselves. I plan on using the two levers in Canada, in Alaska, and maybe in Africa, on very large and dangerous animals. Any feature or modification that makes a gun more user friendly or more efficient is well worth the time and or money. I am an avid gunowner that takes pride in his work, although I am not a professional I am more than an intermeadiate and like sharing knowledge with like individuals. I recently spoke with David Clay (DRC custom levers) in person about his takedown conversions and his extended mag tubes, and other modifications to a Marlin and he recommended the meltdown, and showed me a customers gun that had recieved that treatment. The gun looked great with its melted edges and its takedown feature. I plan on using him for the takedown conversion, but I still plan to do the melting/ dehorning myself and still would appreciate any suggestions from the great members of this forum. Thanks, slik r slik.

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2005, 03:05:00 AM »

gunnut69 and slik r slik: a buncha years ago there was an article in one of the gun magazines, Shooting Times possibly, about a knife-maker in Californika who 'melted' 1911s for more friendly carry and personal handgun customization. His name is/was Bob Loveless and two of his pistols were featured on the cover of that magazine. I apologize for not being able to even remember what year it was but I do remember the decade - the 80s. I had corresponded with him during those years about a wildcat cartridge I had developed. His 'meltdowns' were gorgeous. Basically, his 1911s came out looking like Hi-Powers and his work was superb (at least good enough to be pictured on the cover of one of the nations best known gun magazines). I can't recall if he provided any insights or tips on his work in that article but it was a good read and the pictures looked very good. If you can find that article there might be some information there that might help. Mikey.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2005, 04:23:09 AM »

Bob Loveless was a top knifemaker. He started as a gunsmith but found his way into the custom knife world. I read the article and found it fascinating. I've done several handguns but I've not done a rifle.. I don't know why but the idea just never germinated, even though the marlins have bothered be for years with the sharp edges.. Guess it's just worse when it's on your belt, wearing holes in the clothes and skin...